Samsung will replace your Note 7 at the airport before you fly

Boarding an airplane with one of Samsung's potentially explosive Note 7 smartphones is now a crime in the US. Fortunately for passengers who may not be aware that they're packing dangerous contraband, Samsung is setting up shop at airports to keep everyone out of trouble.

Samsung is setting up special exchange booths at "high traffic" airports around the world to replace passengers' Note 7 smartphones with a new and safe replacement device, according to ABC News in San Francisco.

Samsung's booths can currently be found in certain airports in Australia and South Korea, with a booth reportedly being set up at San Francisco's SFO airport.

Indeed, flying with the Note 7 is now a crime in the US. Taking a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on a plane could cost you almost $180,000 and up to 10 years in prison, as the Note 7's defective battery could catch fire and cause serious damage to anything nearby, including people. As such, the Note 7 has been deemed unsafe.

Samsung recently halted production of the Note 7 after two recalls due to a defective battery, and the Note 7 is no longer sold from carriers or Samsung itself.

It's not clear what brand or model the replacement devices are, but ABC News reported that Samsung is able to transfer data from a Note 7 to the replacement devices at their booths.

Here's Samsung's comment to Business Insider:

All Galaxy Note7 owners should visit their local carrier or retail store and participate in the U.S Note7 Refund and Exchange Program immediately and before traveling.

We are coordinating with various partners to communicate the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent order to ban all Galaxy Note7 devices in carry-on and checked baggage on flights across multiple touch-points. We are providing support to Galaxy Note7 owners by exchanging their devices or refunding them in a wide range of places, including at some of the most frequently visited airports around the country. These on-site reps are there to help customers with last minute travel support and can be located by calling the Galaxy Note7 hotline at 1-844-365-6197.

But we urge all Galaxy Note7 owners to exchange their device or obtain a refund before they arrive at their airport. We know this is an inconvenience to our customers but safety has to remain our top priority.

Here's a look at one of Samsung's exchange booths:

Samsung has a team of representatives at SFO to help customers with the Note7 phone. It's banned from US flights. pic.twitter.com/2IiEcg6hsU